National Republican., 1887-12-10
CHRISTMAS CANDLES.
Expensive Novelties for Holiday Dec
0rntiona,

"There are a great many novelties this
year in the way Of candle illumination"
The above reply was made by a wholesale
house to one who had asked what propara.
tions had been made for Christmas. The
informant continued:
"You will remember that some time ago
candles were an actual necessity. But
since the introduction OF kerosene oil, gas,
and the electric light, they are luxury.
Only the well-to do now use candles as q
means of decoration. They may have gas
or even electric lights In their house, but at
this season OF the year they are bound to
use candles, aud In the most elaborate
forms Of style and decoration. This year
the designs have been more elegant than
ever before.
zone beautiful thing is lantern In
which ,apers are burned. 1t ID intended to
illuminate dark corners and Is called
glow worm lantern. The material from
which the lantern is made Is either oxydized
silver, polished brass, or bright royal cop
per. This Is ornsmented with colored
glasses OF small size to represent je wells,
and When lit up it forms very pretty Or
pament Next there are swinging lamps
on stands made OF either oxydized silver,
gilt, or polished brass. the taper being
within a lamp Of varied colored glasses,
forming pretty decoration for table.
Then there are candle holders made OF
bisquo ware In imitation OF flowers. OF
these there is an endless variety. In adii-
ton to these there are the old.fashloned
nat coudlesticks which our grandmot
used. or something like IT, made OF nickel
plate or brass. For mantel ornaments
there are capdelabras after the Egyptian,
Viennese, or French stfles. all entirelp new
this season."
"What about the candles themselves ?"
"There are csudles made to initiate old
china, In blue upon white; pretty candle
made of blue orDamented With the sun,
moon, and stars in gold; Coriuthian can.
die Of all sizes and shades old fashioned
Geimon candles, twisted and voiuted, OF
all sizes, colors, and styles; jupiter candles In
various cotors, decorated with golden stars;
the corncob candle In imitation OF that arti-
Gle, with or without the gold ornaments
and decorations; tulip candles 10 various
styiss, auted candles, und Others to suit the
''But does not the Pickering candle light
affect the eyes"
"These candles do not flicker, but when
the light is annoying It Is softeued by
shades. Some Of these have pretty litho-
graphed views brought out on glass, and
where this material is too expensive there
are some made Of paper in all sorts OF col
OF silk form handsome shades. Some OF
the silk shades are painted aud have ap.
pendages OF lace"
"But why are the candles used instead OF
gas or kerosene ?"
"Itis the custom nova lays to use can
dies, either with or without shades, for
decorating and Illuminating at balls, re-
ceptions, dinner parties, afternoon teas,
wedding feasts, Christmas revels, and such
like festivities, because OF the subdued aud
delicate light obtained. Another reason is
that they lend themselves more readily to
novel ideas In decoration, and yield more
striking effects In light than any other H.
Illuminating agent. Besides all these, 1t is
the fashion. Nothing Is prettier for the
parlor or dlnine-room on Thanksgiving or
Christmas day, and they may be properly
used as far into the season as Easter"
"Wbat about the small candles for chill
dren, or Christmas trees?"
"They are as much in demand as ever,
and vary from IA to the pound to those Of
about half an ounce each. These are Of
course Of all colors, and are so cheap that
even the poorest can afford to present their
little children with few, IL not with an
entire box. With these candles are the
holders, refiectors, ornaments for trees In
colors and tinsel, and the numerous devices
by which the Christmas tree may be made
~ DI ne